10 Simple, Slightly Odd, Ways to Relieve Stress

"Sometimes the best way to beat stress is to surprise it—with a stretch, a silly face, or a quick dance party. Small, playful shifts can reset your whole day."
— Awaken Wellness

Let’s face it: stress is part of life. Deadlines pile up, texts go unanswered, and somehow, your body always seems to know exactly when to tighten your shoulders just so. While the usual strategies—deep breathing, stretching, meditation—can help, sometimes what you really need is something a little unexpected. Something that gives your nervous system a “pattern interrupt” and reminds your brain that you’re safe and in control.

At Awaken Wellness in Columbia, we’re always looking for practical, body-mind approaches to support your healing journey. And today, we’re sharing a few simple ways to lower stress that might seem a little strange—but they’re backed by real science and actually work.

1. Have a Quick Dance Party

Put on a song you love and just move—no choreography needed. Dancing not only boosts mood and lowers cortisol, but research shows it increases dopamine and serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitters that help regulate stress. Even a few minutes of movement can help your body shift gears.

2. Talk in a Funny Voice

It sounds ridiculous, we know—but laughter and play are powerful stress relievers. Shifting your tone or mimicking a silly character can disrupt anxious thought patterns and stimulate the vagus nerve, which plays a key role in calming the nervous system.

3. Really Smell Something

Engage your senses fully by taking time to really smell something pleasant—your coffee, a flower, or your favorite essential oil. Aromatherapy has been shown to reduce stress and even lower blood pressure by engaging the limbic system, the part of the brain that controls emotions.

4. Do the Opposite of What Your Body is Doing

If you're hunched over or moving fast, try doing the opposite—stretch tall, slow down. This creates a gentle reset. It’s similar to somatic therapy techniques, which teach that changing physical patterns can shift mental states.

5. Just Look at a Color

Pick a color nearby and focus on it. Notice its texture, shade, the way the light hits it. This simple act of mindfulness has been shown to reduce anxiety by helping redirect the brain's focus away from stressors and toward the present moment.

6. Talk Back to Your Stress

Say something like, “Okay, I feel you, stress. But I’ve got this.” Positive self-talk, even when it feels awkward, helps reframe negative thoughts and has been shown to lower perceived stress levels.

7. Stretch Like a Cat

Big, luxurious stretches can help release stored tension and improve circulation. Animal-inspired stretching (yes, even with little groans and yawns) can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system—the “rest and digest” mode.

8. Make a Silly Face

Your facial muscles are linked to your emotional centers. Making goofy faces or even smiling when you don't feel like it can send signals to your brain that you're okay, helping to reduce stress responses.

9. Briefly Acknowledge Your Worry

Say to yourself: “Okay, I see you, worry. But I’m okay right now.” Research in acceptance-based therapies shows that naming your anxiety without judgment helps create distance and reduces its hold over your mind.

10. Do a Little Silly Routine

Try spinning in a circle once before sitting down, or wiggling your fingers in a goofy way. It might feel odd, but small, playful rituals can snap you out of stress loops and help your nervous system recalibrate.

The Bottom Line?

Stress likes predictability. But your nervous system responds beautifully when you surprise it—in a good way. These tiny, quirky shifts give your brain and body a moment to pause, reset, and remind you that you're not stuck in fight-or-flight mode.

So next time stress sneaks in, try something a little out of the ordinary. You just might find yourself laughing, loosening up, or simply breathing a little easier.

Need more support calming your nervous system? Our team at Awaken Wellness offers holistic care that helps you move from survival mode into thriving—one step at a time. Schedule an acupuncture, massage, or nutrition session today. Your body will thank you.

Think of us as your body’s pit crew—keeping everything tuned up and road-ready. 🪛🏎️